MPs debate a vital piece of Brexit legislation this week. And Government Ministers, who back the Bill, are bracing themselves for a battle with the Labour opposition, which is likely to vote against it.

It’s called the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, although it’s also been known as the Great Repeal Bill.

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What does the Government say?

The Government insists Henry VIII powers contained in the Bill will not be used to make significant changes, and only to make technical amendments to EU law through secondary legislation.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said the measures in the Bill were required to provide certainty for business and continuity during the period of exiting the EU.

The Government has been clear the powers it proposes for “correcting” details within the legislation being transposed onto the UK statute book will be time-limited, said the spokesman.

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And he stressed that any “significant” changes would be subject to primary legislation - which means they are debated by the House of Commons - in a series of new laws covering issues like immigration, trade and customs.

The spokesman said: “The whole point of the repeal bill is to mean supremacy of EU law in the UK will end and all laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast, not in Brussels.

“That bill will provide a smooth and orderly exit from the EU and stand trade talks with the EU in good stead, since both sides will start from a point of exact equivalence.”